noun
adj
verb
adv

Textual thesaurus for "keep"

(noun) hold

a cell in a jail or prison


(noun) donjon, dungeon

the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress


(noun) bread and butter, livelihood, living, support, sustenance

the financial means whereby one lives

each child was expected to pay for their keep; he applied to the state for support; he could no longer earn his own livelihood


(verb) preserve

prevent (food) from rotting

preserved meats; keep potatoes fresh


(verb) observe, maintain

stick to correctly or closely

The pianist kept time with the metronome; keep count; I cannot keep track of all my employees


(verb) maintain

maintain by writing regular records

keep a diary; maintain a record; keep notes


(verb) sustain, maintain

supply with necessities and support

She alone sustained her family; The money will sustain our good cause; There's little to earn and many to keep


(verb) hold on

retain possession of

Can I keep my old stuffed animals?; She kept her maiden name after she married


(verb) maintain

maintain for use and service

I keep a car in the countryside; She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips


(verb) hold open, keep open, save

retain rights to

keep my job for me while I give birth; keep my seat, please; keep open the possibility of a merger


(verb) continue, retain, keep on

allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature

We cannot continue several servants any longer; She retains a lawyer; The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff; Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on; We kept the work going as long as we could; She retained her composure; this garment retains its shape even after many washings


(verb) keep back, restrain, hold back

keep under control; keep in check

suppress a smile; Keep your temper; keep your cool


(verb) prevent

stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state

We must prevent the cancer from spreading; His snoring kept me from falling asleep; Keep the child from eating the marbles


(verb) celebrate, observe

behave as expected during of holidays or rites

Keep the commandments; celebrate Christmas; Observe Yom Kippur


(verb) observe

conform one's action or practice to

keep appointments; she never keeps her promises; We kept to the original conditions of the contract


(verb) maintain, hold

keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep clean"

hold in place; She always held herself as a lady; The students keep me on my toes


(verb) proceed, continue, go along, go on

continue a certain state, condition, or activity

Keep on working!; We continued to work into the night; Keep smiling; We went on working until well past midnight


(verb) preserve

maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger

May God keep you


(verb) stay fresh

fail to spoil or rot

These potatoes keep for a long time